The River Murray and wider Murray-Darling Basin have experienced the most severe drought in recorded history during 2006-07, with record low inflows into the main storages and the river during most of the past year.
As part of the response to this emergency, the Prime Minister and Premiers Mike Rann, Morris Iemma and Steve Bracks released a joint statement on 20 April 2007 which indicated, among other things, that industrial users of water from the River Murray system should be required to adopt stringent water savings measures and that major users should be required to develop water efficiency plans incorporating industry best practice water efficiency targets from 1 July 2007.
The South Australian Government is now acting on these measures.
From 1 July 2007, all industrial users of water will be treated the same way, regardless of whether they obtain the water via SA Water infrastructure or by pumping directly from the River Murray under a water licence. Industrial use of water means water used not only for conventional industrial purposes such as processing, production, manufacturing and smelting, but also for commercial and business purposes, institutions such as schools and hospitals, construction, mining, aquaculture and intensive animal farming. Government agencies will have to comply with these requirements.
Water Efficiency Plans
All industrial users will be able to access water during 2007-08. However, there is a requirement for industrial users to prepare a water efficiency plan that identifies where they can make water savings in any area of their operations where water is used.
Non-Process Water:
Non-process water refers to water used in bathrooms (eg hand basins and showers), kitchens, toilets, air conditioning (eg cooling towers), and via some internal hoses. Water saving devices for non-process water include the installation of dual flush toilets, low flow showers and low flow aerators in basins and sinks.
Download your easy-to-use proforma of a water efficiency plan for non-process water in your industry.
Download your easy-to-use proforma of a water efficiency plan for non-process water in your government agency.
Process Water:
Process water refers to water used in any production your business may undertake (eg in the production of steel, wine, food products etc). For example, in intensive animal farming enterprises, process water would include the wash down water. In a metal fabrication factory, the process water would include the cooling water. In food processing plants (eg milk and pork) this would include any water used in the food production process.
Download the water efficiency plan for process water form which includes a checklist for preparing your water efficiency plan. You are required to complete this form and return it to SA Water by 31 October 2007.
Outside Use of Water
From 1 July 2007, all industrial users of water will continue to be subject to the same restrictions on the outside use of water for gardens, lawns and other purposes as those applying to domestic and other users of water. In particular, the use of sprinklers, hoses and water systems, including drippers and any watering of lawns, will be banned in July 2007. Watering cans and buckets may still be used for outdoor trees, shrubs and plants. All other Level 3 restrictions relating to nurseries, car washing, pools, spas, fountains and ponds will remain the same.
View details on Level 3 Water Restrictions.